by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 412 degrees and certificates in Marine Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 86% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $97,198 one year after completing, rising to $119,566 after four years.
A degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering will allow you to design, build, and maintain many different types of ships. You have the opportunity to work with everything from very large aircraft carriers to submarines to sailboats. If you are interested in working with ships that help maintain our navel defense system, a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering is for you.
Marine Engineering is math and science oriented. You will take classes in civil engineering, architectural engineering, drafting, physics, computer aided design and more to develop the skills to choose proper materials, calculate ship strength, and oversee building and maintenance.
While a degree in Marine Engineering can lead to working on any type of oceanic vessel, a degree in Naval Architecture most often leads to a career working on ships in the U.S. Navy. Those who study Naval Architecture at the U.S. Naval Academy with not only earn a degree, but also be commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an officer.
A major in Marine Engineering explores Naval Architecture And Marine Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, marine engineering is a popular field of study, with 412 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award marine engineering degrees, an average of 27 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 87.
By level, the 412 awards include 8 certificates, 12 associate degrees, 356 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 18% of marine engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (75 of 412). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (320) and Hispanic or Latino (26), and international students earned 10.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Engineering Schools ranking, including 7 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks marine engineering schools within 5 states. In all, 15 colleges offer marine engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Marine Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common marine engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 356 of the 412 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to marine engineering call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering are careers that rely heavily on mathematics and science. Strong backgrounds in both fields are required for this profession. Problem-solving and teamwork skills are also required especially when drafting blueprints and working with others to design and test ships. Since a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering will lead to a position of management, communication and interpersonal skills are mandatory when meeting with clients or leading a team of builders.
Professional Marine Engineers often work in office settings with access to computer design equipment and other engineering tools, but sometimes they must go out on ships for testing or to oversee maintenance. Experience is important in this field. While earning your degree, it is recommended to also work at an internship. This will allow you to gain valuable hands-on experience. Relevant experience will make graduates more attractive to potential employers.
Along with earning a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering, graduates must also obtain a mariner's license from the U.S. Coast Guard. After completing the test, graduates with receive a 3rd Assistant License. Additional testing will allow graduates to work towards a 2nd, 1st, and ultimately Chief Assistant License. More advanced licenses typically lead toward jobs with higher pay.
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How long a marine engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 12 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 356 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to marine engineering, at 36.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 11.6% |
| Master’s degree | 10.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| First professional degree | 2.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Marine Engineering, with an average median salary of $98,002; the strongest outlook belongs to Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Metallurgy Teacher, Mechanical Drawing Teacher, Ceramic Engineering Professor and Technical Professor.
A degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering will often lead to a career at a marine architecture firm. Graduates have also followed career paths in shipbuilding or joined the U.S. Navy.
The occupation related to marine engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | 270,124 | 11.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Marine Engineering graduates earn a median $97,198 one year after completing their program, $119,566 after four years and $116,295 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $97,198 |
| 4 years | $119,566 |
| 5 years | $116,295 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to marine engineering, with a median salary of $121,581.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $121,581 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
Marine Engineering includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (412). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 202,623 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (27,513) and Computer Engineering (21,335). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 412 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27,513 |
| Computer Engineering | 21,335 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
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